The War Room

OF "DICTATORS" AND "POLICE STATES"

One of the most powerful tools the New Left has in its arsenal is the weapon of words. More powerful than even conventional weapons or coercion, the power of language to demonize and stigmatize is something the left has mastered.

This article in the NY Times, linked to by The Drudge Report mildly criticizes Rudolph Giuliani in the days following 9/11 as a "benevolent dictator". A man who had one purpose and gently let standards fall to achieve it.

Over the weekend we saw an article by Sun Media columnist Greg Weston refer to Stephan Harper as running a "police state". The Weston article is actually quite laughable in its combined level of hysteria, hyperbole and condescension. Yet, it is what the left excels at and why the right so often falls behind.

Why have a discussion about global warming when one can merely call anyone who questions you a 'denier'?

Why debate the institution of marriage when you can just call anyone who disagrees with you a 'bigot'?

Why talk about the need for improving our health care system when you can just call anyone who brings it into question, 'callous' or 'cruel'?

Are you pro-life or anti-abortion? Pro-choice or pro-abortion? The left's control of language through political correctness has been one of thier great keys to success in marginalizing those who disagree with them. It also helps them to legitimatize things that would normally be unnacceptable.

No one wants their daughter to grow up to be a 'hooker'; howabout a 'sex-trade worker'?

Are you 'promiscuous' or 'open-minded'? Do you 'abuse drugs' or do you 'liberate your mind'?

Does you professor 'educate' you or 'indoctrinate' you.

Why do you think modern leftists will refer to Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez as 'socialists'? Because it does not carry the same stigma as the word 'communist', which both men undoubtedly are.

Be very careful of the language you choose and the phrasings of things. Be aware of what people are telling you and what they really mean.

A 'socialist' friend told me once she was ill so she went to the doctor and asked for 'compassionate medicine'. I did not understand her. I asked her to explain and she just kept repeating the phrase over and over. Finally I said, "you mean a freebie, you want medicine for free." She said yes. Now she is not poor, and could have paid, but her politics made her not want to. Her choice of language made it sound as though anyone who disagreed with her was not compassionate.

Do not let the left define you. Define yourself with the language you choose and do the same to them.

Only then can the New Left cultures spell be broken.

posted by Nicol DuMoulin @ 11:34 AM